The CAMILA Earth Observation program, the largest satellite initiative in Polish history, is moving into its next phase. Developed in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA), the program will deploy a constellation of four observation satellites to strengthen Poland’s national Earth observation capabilities and increase its independence in access to geospatial data. 

CAMILA, which stands for Country Awareness Mission in Land Analysis, was established under an agreement between Poland’s Ministry of Development and Technology and the European Space Agency. The system will consist of two main segments: a space segment comprising four Earth observation satellites and a ground segment responsible for mission control and management. Its objective is to provide high-resolution geospatial information to public administrations, emergency management services, and organisations responsible for spatial planning and environmental protection.

GMV is responsible for the design, development, and implementation of the Flight Operations Segment (FOS), the software system that will enable operators to control the CAMILA satellite constellation from the ground. In mid-May, the project completed the FOS Requirements Review (FOS RR), one of the key milestones before the start of software development activities. Developed and implemented by GMV’s team in Poland, the FOS is a key component of the ground segment, enabling operators to control individual satellites and manage the constellation as a whole.

“This is a crucial milestone in the project’s development, as it marks the transition to a phase in which the main objectives and detailed requirements can be translated into specific tasks for system engineers and software developers. In the near future, we will focus on designing the system and adapting our software to the requirements of the satellite platforms used in the CAMILA program” – explains Jaroslaw Wysocki, Project Manager at GMV.

The FOS system will be integrated with ground infrastructure, antennas, and data processing software. GMV’s solutions will enable partial automation of satellite operations, thereby increasing operational efficiency and mission safety. 

The Flight Operations Segment software developed by GMV comprises several key elements covering the main functions required for space mission operations. These include hifly®, the Mission Control Software; FocuSuite®, the Flight Dynamics System; flexplan®, the Mission Planning System; and Focusoc, the Collision Avoidance System. Together, these components provide the capabilities required to manage mission operations end-to-end, from satellite planning and control to orbital analysis and collision risk mitigation.

GMV’s participation in the consortium behind the CAMILA mission represents an important step in the company’s growth in Poland.

“CAMILA strengthens GMV’s position as a provider of ground segment solutions for Earth observation satellites. We are proud to contribute to this project as part of such a strong consortium,” said Pawel Wojtkiewicz, GMV Space Director in Poland. “CAMILA will become a key element of Poland’s national space infrastructure. The project not only supports the development of the space sector but also has the potential to strengthen public institutions by enhancing Poland’s independence in imagery intelligence.” 

Click here to learn more about CAMILA Earth Observation Program